English Proficiency Policy
- Admission
One of the following constitutes proof:
- 1. TOEFL
- 550 minimum on paper-based TOEFLa
- 213 minimum on computer-based TOEFLa
- 79 minimum on internet-based TOEFLa
- 2. MELAB
- 3. IELTS
- 4. 24 transferable credits, excluding ESL coursework, from a U.S. community college or baccalaureate institution.
- 5. a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university
- 6. 1 year of study at and a diploma from a U.S. high school
- a Some programs at Oakland University may require a higher level of proficiency than listed above. Applicants should examine the program description for their field of study for information about additional English proficiency requirements and furnish proof as part of the admission process (admissions: http://www.oakland.edu; click on 'Prospective Students').
Admission with ESL Coursework
One of the following constitutes proof:
- 1. TOEFL
- 520-549 on paper-based TOEFL
- 190-212 on computer-based TOEFL
- 69-78 on internet-based TOEFL
- 2. MELAB
- 3. IELTS
Students must register for ESL courses as part of their coursework starting in their first semester of registration. ESL placement is done by the ESL Center using the Institutional TOEFL and other assessment tools. Upon completion of the individualized ESL instruction sequence, students' English proficiency will be evaluated using the Institutional TOEFL to determine whether additional ESL coursework is necessary to achieve English proficiency. The individualized ESL instruction sequence designed by the Center is not negotiable.
Satisfactory completion of the individualized ESL instruction sequence is expected within one year, but ESL coursework is required until minimum proficiency is demonstrated.
- Admission to Intensive English Program
Prospective students who do not have adequate English proficiency for admission or admission with ESL coursework to the university can be admitted to the Intensive English Program. ESL placement is done by the ESL Center using the Institutional TOEFL and other assessment tools. Upon completion of the individualized ESL instruction sequence, students' English proficiency will be evaluated using the Institutional TOEFL to determine whether additional ESL coursework is necessary to achieve English proficiency. The individualized ESL instruction sequence designed by the Center is not negotiable.
Upon completion of the Intensive English Program, students may (re)apply for admission to Oakland University; applicants are evaluated using the admission criteria described above.